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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – MARCH 27, 2024 2 <br />wanted to move forward. In its current form, she said the mission statement was to facilitate <br />positive interaction with the business community and to advise the City Council and Economic <br />Development Authority on economic development, redevelopment and related community <br />development issues. She indicated there was room for more specific language and phrasing as they <br />discuss prioritization. She directed the Commission to the packet and opened up the topic for <br />discussion. <br /> <br />Chair Cupery said the logical place to start was with the mission and asked if the group thought <br />it was adequate as presented. <br /> <br />Commissioner Williams asked if the EDC has any role in helping the residents understand that <br />there is a strong economic development in Arden Hills. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen asked if this should be part of the first statement regarding facilitating <br />positive interaction with the business community among residents and if not, to suggest a location <br />for that language to be added. <br /> <br />Commissioner Williams stated he wasn’t suggesting putting that in the vision yet wondered if <br />that was within the scope of what the EDC does or not. <br /> <br />Chair Cupery said he thinks this would fit in the communication and outreach part of the <br />strategies relating to making sure the residents are aware of the Arden Hills businesses. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gronquist said she thinks the last part is good but that the statement doesn’t really <br />talk about the current businesses. She suggested possibly adding something else in the beginning <br />about helping the current businesses grow and develop or thrive in the city. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen suggested phrasing such as to facilitate positive and local interaction and <br />ongoing business support with the business community. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine said that instead of focusing on the negative, maybe the phrase is word <br />smithed to something more positive like thrive or something of that nature so as to be supportive <br />and hopefully avoid issues, rather than focusing on the negative. <br /> <br />Commissioner Murchie suggested using the word opportunities instead of issues. <br /> <br />Commissioner Williams said that coming from the non-profit world, is the mission really to <br />facilitate positive interaction or is the mission to have a vibrant business community in Arden Hills <br />for both new and existing businesses? He noted for him it relates to what is the ultimate goal. He <br />noted he didn’t think positive interaction was a method towards what he would think is the ultimate <br />goal, which is that the business community is great, but that positive interaction is one method <br />towards that goal in supporting existing businesses. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gronquist suggested taking out to facilitate method of interaction and to <br />emphasize local ongoing support for the business community. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen said they could more directly state support for the success and growth <br />of the local business community and opportunities rather than issues identified. <br />